Oct.13 (GMM) Fernando Alonso would be the worthiest winner of this year's world championship.

That is the view of the Spaniard's countryman Pedro de la Rosa, who drives for the backmarker team HRT.

Ferrari's Alonso appeared the outright favourite to secure his third drivers' crown this year until very recently, when first-lap crashes at Spa and Suzuka allowed reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel to close the gap to just 4 points.

"I still think and believe Fernando will win the title," de la Rosa told AS newspaper in Korea. "Why not?

"I believe he deserves it, and usually you get what you deserve in sport. Things have happened to him recently but they can happen to others too."

Asked if he really thinks Alonso 'deserves' the title more than back-to-back champion and German Vettel, de la Rosa answered: "Yes, he deserves it more.

"Fernando has not had the best car but he has always given the maximum of what he is able. And the two retirements were not his fault and not even his team's."